Wanakita’s Outdoor Centre: Life-Changing Experiences for Students

Nestled in the heart of Ontario’s wilderness, YMCA Wanakita’s Outdoor Centre is more than a field trip—it’s an opportunity for students to experience the transformative power of camp. 

Open to schools and groups in the fall, winter, and spring, the Outdoor Centre offers curriculum-linked educational programs, leadership development experiences, and unforgettable adventures. Whether it’s a Grade 8 graduation trip or a team-building retreat, Wanakita works directly with teachers to customize programs that meet school goals while giving students the chance to connect with the outdoors in meaningful ways.

As a pre-approved trip location for multiple school boards, Wanakita’s Outdoor Centre follows Ontario Camping Association (OCA) and Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPHEA) guidelines to ensure every experience is safe, accessible, and enriching. With the support of trained Wanakita instructors and dedicated school staff, students step away from their screens and city streets to discover confidence, friendship, and resilience in nature.

For Catherine Higgins, a Grade 8 teacher at W.H. Ballard School in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, bringing her students to Wanakita was about more than just a trip—it was about creating equal access to experiences that can change lives.

“Many of my students don’t have access to nature at all,” Catherine explained. “They’re pegged into their neighborhoods, and they just don’t get the chance to spend time outdoors. For some, this was their first time away from the city, their first time spending days in the woods. It was completely life-changing.”

Catherine, who spent years as a YMCA summer camp counsellor herself, was reminded of the power of camp when she took her class to Wanakita. Students who struggled in the classroom emerged as leaders in the forest. Kids who often felt anxious or disconnected at school thrived while hiking, climbing, and playing camp-wide games.

“Some of the kids who are most challenging in the classroom were amazing out there,” she said. “They were leaders. There’s just something transformative about being outside, having that freedom to move, to take on physical challenges, and to connect with each other without phones or screens. The kids were happy, exhausted, and they all said Wanakita was the highlight of their year.”

Making the trip possible wasn’t without challenges. Many families at W.H. Ballard face barriers that make experiences like this out of reach. But with the YMCA’s financial assistance, the school was able to provide equitable access.

“This year, we were able to fully fund 16 kids who wouldn’t have been able to come otherwise,” Catherine shared. “We even brought some brand-new Canadians, and for them, it was their first experience in what we’d call the ‘classic Canadian wilderness.’ They loved it. They still talk about it.”

The impact of the trip is clear in the stories Catherine carries with her: a boy with autism who delighted in making leaf angels and found comfort under the moonlight; a student facing personal struggles who conquered the climbing wall after initially refusing to try; late-night campfire walks filled with laughter and trust.

“These are life-saving opportunities,” Catherine said. “Nature shouldn’t be something exclusive. It belongs to everyone, and every child should have the chance to experience it.”

For teachers, Wanakita’s Outdoor Centre makes the process as easy as possible, offering planning support, trained staff, and curriculum-linked programming. But for students, the experience is much more than an educational trip—it’s a chance to discover new strengths, form lasting memories, and feel a sense of belonging.

As Catherine summed it up: “Wanakita gave my students a chance to see themselves differently. It planted seeds that I know will grow long after they leave my classroom.” 

#ShineOn #IgnitePotential #YSavesLives #YMCAWanakita

For more information about YMCA Wanakita's Outdoor Centre or to discuss and plan your stay, please contact:

Sandra Dabrowski
Director, Outdoor Centre
E: sandra.dabrowski@ymcahbb.ca